RSS Daily World News

SpongeBob fanatics hunted over vandalism

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

The U.S. Forest Service is looking for "SpongeBob fanatics" who painted the cartoon character on the chimney of a historic building.

Malkin, Penguins start strong against Flyers

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Evgeni Malkin scored two dazzling goals 5 minutes apart to give Pittsburgh a two-goal lead, after Sidney Crosby tied it, and the Penguins rode their two big stars to a 4-2 victory over cross-state rival Philadelphia in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals Friday night.

Rollins has a blast in return to Phillies

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Jimmy Rollins couldn’t have asked for a better return. Well, other than hitting the triple he needed for the cycle. Rollins led the Philadelphia Phillies to victory in his long-awaited comeback, and did so playing in front of family and friends in his native Bay Area no less. The reigning NL MVP came off the disabled list and hit a two-run homer, an RBI double and also singled, sending the Phillies past the struggling San Francisco Giants 7-4 on Friday night.

Blackwater unlikely to face charges

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Blackwater Worldwide, the security contractor blamed by an angry Iraqi government for the shooting deaths of 17 civilians, is not expected to face criminal charges.

Judge accused of running court like a kingdom

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Elizabeth Halverson is a judge. But the way courthouse staffers see it, she expects to be treated like a queen. A Nevada commission will hold hearings that could put an end to her career.

Grave hunt at Manson ranch gets OK

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

The sheriff of the remote region where Charles Manson hid after a killing spree in 1969 said Friday that he will allow researchers to begin digging for possible human remains.

Sharpton owes $1.5 million in back taxes

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

The Rev. Al Sharpton still carries baggage from his early days as a fire-breathing agitator: Records indicate he and his business entities owe nearly $1.5 million in overdue taxes and penalties.

Lebanese PM orders army to tackle Hezbollah

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora on Saturday ordered the army to restore law and order across the country and remove gunmen from the streets.

Inside the Microsoft-Google war

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Even before yanking the Yahoo offer, Microsoft's Steve Ballmer had begun laying the groundwork for a strategy to compete with Google in online advertising.

Zimbabwes opposition leader to contest run-off

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

The leader of Zimbabwe's main opposition party said on Saturday he would participate in a run-off in a bid to unseat Robert Mugabe after disputed presidential elections.

FBI, ATF battle for control of cases

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

In the five years since the FBI and ATF were merged under the Justice Department to coordinate the fight against terrorism, the rival law-enforcement agencies have fought each other for control, according to sources and internal documents.

Jazz hang on, deal Lakers first playoff loss

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Carlos Boozer broke out of his slump with 27 points, leading the Utah Jazz to a 104-99 victory over Los Angeles on Friday night, cutting the Lakers’ lead in the series to 2-1.

More armor added to military vehicles

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

The U.S. military is reinforcing the sides of its topline mine-resistant vehicles to shore up what could be weak points as troops see a spike in armor-piercing roadside bombings.

Post-cyclone race to avoid disease disaster

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Getting supplies to survivors suffering from a brutal cyclone in Myanmar is now a "race against time" to prevent a disease disaster, experts warned Saturday.

U.N. aid used by junta for propaganda exercise

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Myanmar's military regime distributed international aid Saturday but plastered the boxes with the names of top generals in an apparent effort to turn the cyclone relief effort into a propaganda exercise.

Iraq, al-Sadr agree to cease-fire

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Iraq's government on Saturday agreed a truce with the movement of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr to end weeks of fighting in an eastern Baghdad slum between Shiite militia and security forces, officials said.

Militants die in Afghanistan clash

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Dozens of protesters blocked a road Saturday in eastern Afghanistan, claiming U.S.-led coalition forces killed three civilians, and a local official said police fatally shot one of the protesters and injured three of them.

3 kidnapped Chinese freed in Nigeria

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Three Chinese construction workers who were abducted in southern Nigeria's troubled oil region have been released, the government said Saturday.

South Korea to double Tamiflu stockpile

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

South Korea says it will double its stockpile of the antiviral drug Tamiflu as bird flu spreads among poultry across the country.

Police: 2 killed in Beirut shooting after Hezbollah takeover

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

A Shiite Muslim shop owner opened fire on a funeral procession Saturday, killing two people and wounding six others in a Sunni neighborhood, police and witnesses said.

Huge Texas sinkholes appetite decreasing, officials say

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Geologists said a 260-foot-deep sinkhole that grew to the length of three football fields over just two days seemed to be slowing down Thursday, but that it could take months before it's clear whether surrounding areas are stable.

Mo. woman pleads, will be sentenced in stolen baby attack

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

A woman who slashed a young mother and kidnapped her newborn entered into a plea deal Friday, and the prosecutor revealed additional details of the 2006 attack -- including that the victim was stabbed repeatedly and her toddler son was tied up.

Lawyer: DC sniper now wants to fight his death sentence

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Convicted sniper John Allen Muhammad has changed his mind again and now wants to go forward with a federal appeal of his conviction and death sentence, according to his lawyers.

In Oregon, Clinton hits Obama while he targets McCain

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Campaigning a few miles from each other Friday, Barack Obama trained his eye on November and the GOP, while Hillary Rodham Clinton battled for her political life, trying to hang on a bit longer in hopes of denying him the Democratic presidential nomination.

Tiny Crawford plays supporting role for Jenna Bushs wedding

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

So close and yet so far: Tiny Crawford is sort of like a bridesmaid at arm's length from Jenna Bush's wedding Saturday.

President Bush wishes mothers a happy day

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

President Bush, who often jokes about being sure to listen to his mother, will be with her on Mother's Day -- the day after celebrating the wedding of his daughter Jenna.

Following year of division, Supreme Court avoids 5-4 splits

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

This could be the Supreme Court term, one court watcher joked recently, that Justice John Paul Stevens remembers he is a Republican.

New York Rep. Fossella faces calls for his resignation

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Embattled and embarrassed by the confession he fathered a child from an extramarital affair, New York Rep. Vito Fossella is facing public calls for his resignation. Secluded with his family, he must decide if he wants to keep his job badly enough to grapple with the lingering questions and fallout from the scandal.

E-mails filed in Secret Service racism lawsuit

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

New evidence was filed Friday in a long-running civil rights case against the Secret Service, including e-mails that portray an offensive image of a naked black man and racist jokes.

Tony Blairs wife publishes autobiography; Iraq war a topic

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Tony Blair considered not running for a third term as British prime minister but his wife and others persuaded him it would be seen as an admission that he had been wrong about the Iraq war, she says in her newly published autobiography.

Stephen announcing his congressional candidacy

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

He's been on the campaign trail for months, and Monday, Republican John Stephen officially will become a candidate for Congress from New Hampshire's First District.

McCormack calls for NH Catholics to support Myanmar victims

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Bishop John McCormack has asked New Hampshire Catholics to help victims of the cyclone that devasted parts of Myanmar last week.

Obama campaign starts NH registration drive

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Barack Obama is campaigning far away, but his campaign is open for business in New Hampshire, starting a voter registration drive.

House Speaker says he paid off mortgage from lobbyist friend

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

House Speaker Sal DiMasi says he's paid off a $250,000 loan from a close friend, who just registered as a lobbyist.

Police employee charged

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

A Concord (New Hampshire) Police Department employee has been charged with using police information to help others avoid arrest.

Paying a high price for a dying art

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

NANTUCKET - The sun had just risen over this elbow of sand last month when a team of armed law enforcement officers from four agencies descended on a cedar-shingled cottage.

Mothers lover arrested in fatal fire

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

After a bitter argument with her lover, 25-year-old Nicole Chuminski set the woman's South Boston rowhouse on fire last month, killing two of her children, authorities alleged yesterday.

Big Dig firm may face more charges

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

After the major contractor that oversaw construction of the Big Dig avoided criminal prosecution by negotiating a large civil settlement with authorities, a small New York supplier of epoxy that failed in the 2006 fatal tunnel ceiling collapse is in the crosshairs of a federal grand jury investigation, according to two lawyers briefed on the case.

DiMasi pays off mortgage loan from friend

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi said he paid off the balance of an unusual $250,000 third mortgage on his North End condominium yesterday, after the lender, his close friend Richard D. Vitale, who is under scrutiny for work he did last year on behalf of the state's ticket brokers, registered as a lobbyist.

Vietnam starts construction on 6 billion dollar oil-refinery

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

NGHI SON (AFP) - Energy-hungry Vietnam started building its second oil refinery on Saturday, a 6.2 billion dollar complex, in a bid to feed the nation's booming economy, the State Oil company announced.

Myanmar holds vote despite cyclone devastation

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

PATHEIN (AFP) - Myanmar held a national referendum Saturday despite warnings that more people would die unless the government focussed on delivering emergency aid for survivors of last week's cyclone.

Tsvangirai to fight Mugabe in Zimbabwe election runoff

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

PRETORIA (AFP) - Zimbabwe's opposition leader said Saturday he would contest a presidential runoff poll in his violence-wracked country, but he called for peacekeepers and observers to ensure a fair vote.

Lebanon army takes steps to end violence

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

BEIRUT (AFP) - The Lebanese army said on Saturday that it was revoking measures taken by the government against the Shiite Hezbollah movement and called for all armed militants to withdraw from the streets.

Sadrists strike deal to end Baghdad fighting

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

BAGHDAD (AFP) - The movement of anti-American Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr said on Saturday it had struck a deal with Iraqi officials to end weeks of fighting in Baghdad that left another 13 people dead overnight.

Peer pressure, the new weapon against teen smoking

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

PARIS (AFP) - Enrolling an influential student to convey an anti-smoking message to schoolmates is a valuable way of getting youngsters to say no to cigarettes, a British study suggests.

US war dead cremated in same facility as pets: Pentagon

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Defense Secretary Robert Gates ordered a review of the handling of the remains of US war dead and apologized after learning that some were cremated in a commercial facility that also cremates pets, the Pentagon said.

Sect member had 21 wives, records show

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Hand-scrawled bishop's records taken from a polygamist sect are helping untangle the network of family relationships at the Texas ranch, where some husbands had more than a dozen wives.

1 dead as severe storms sweep across Southeast

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

A line of severe storms swept across the Southeast on Thursday, damaging homes and businesses in at least four states. One person was killed by a tornado in North Carolina.

Man who lost homes in Katrina wins $97 million

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

A construction company owner who lost two homes in Hurricane Katrina claimed a $97 million Powerball prize, a jackpot won off a ticket he bought at a convenience store where he stopped to buy his wife a gallon of milk.

Israeli PM denies campaign reports

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert admitted on Thursday taking cash from a U.S. businessman but resisted calls to resign over a police investigation into alleged hefty bribes over almost a decade.

A rival to burial: Dissolving bodies with lye

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Since they first walked the planet, humans have either buried or burned their dead. Now a new option is generating interest — dissolving bodies and flushing the residue down the drain.

BBC office hit in attack on Iraq Green Zone

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Shiite militants launched rockets at Baghdad's Green Zone on Friday, taking advantage of a sandstorm for cover. Some rockets fell short, including one that damaged the BBC bureau.

Depressed teens more likely to try pot

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Depression, teens and marijuana are a dangerous mix that can lead to dependency, mental illness or suicidal thoughts, according to a White House report being released Friday.

Panel: Rework confrontational MLK statue

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

A federal arts commission is urging that the sculpture of Martin Luther King Jr. proposed for a memorial be reworked because it is too "confrontational" and reminiscent of political art in totalitarian states.

Austrian dungeon dad to spend month in jail

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

An Austrian judge ruled Friday that a man suspected of keeping his daughter captive in a dungeon for more than two decades should remain in custody, an official said.

Mom pregnant with 18th child

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

The Duggar kids planned a big Mother's Day surprise for their mom this year — but the surprise was on them when Michelle Duggar announced on the TODAY Show that they were soon to welcome an 18th sibling.

James bombs again as Celtics take 2-0 lead

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Boston's Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen led the Celtics to a 89-73 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals.

Ginobili, Parker help Spurs bounce back

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

The defending champs are showing some life after all. Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker each scored 31 points as the San Antonio Spurs beat the New Orleans Hornets on Thursday, cutting their series deficit to 2-1 in the Western Conference semifinals.

Myanmar accused of seizing U.N. aid

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Myanmar's junta on Friday allegedly seized U.N. aid headed for cyclone survivors, prompting the world body to initially suspend help but then say it would resume shipments on Saturday.

Hezbollah fighters seize areas of Beirut

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Iranian- and Syrian-backed Shiite opposition gunmen seized control of several Beirut neighborhoods from Sunni foes loyal to the U.S.-backed government on Friday.

Q A: Whats happening in Lebanon?

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Beirut has been experiencing some of the worst street fighting and sectarian clashes since Lebanon’s 15-year civil war. Richard Engel, NBC News’ Chief Foreign Correspondent, explains what sparked the outbreak of violence and what the underlying issues are.

Queens granddaughter makes Olympic team

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Zara Phillips, a granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, will compete for Britain in equestrian at the Beijing Olympics.

Tanks, missiles rejoin Red Square parade

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Missiles, tanks and other heavy weaponry rolled through Moscow's Red Square in the annual Victory Day parade Friday, reviving a tradition of the Soviet era and demonstrating Russia's growing military confidence.

Experts: Myanmar cannot run aid effort alone after cyclone

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

With only a few aging helicopters and little disaster experience, Myanmar's junta is risking the lives of millions of cyclone survivors by running the relief operation alone, aid experts said Friday.

Rice blasts Syria, Iran on Lebanon violence

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says Hezbollah, backed by Syria and Iran, is killing and injuring innocent civilians in Lebanon.

US official: 1 shipment to be allowed to Myanmar

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

A Pentagon spokesman says the military junta that governs Myanmar has agreed to allow a single U.S. cargo aircraft to bring in relief supplies for victims of a cyclone.

Chile volcano eruption at critical stage - Expert

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

A towering plume of ash from an erupting volcano in Chile's remote Patagonia could collapse back down to devastate the surrounding area, a leading expert warned Friday.

NYCs Bloomberg gives advice to Londons new mayor

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Call it the Billionaire meets Boris -- a lesson on how to run a world class city.

Mexico blames gangs for killing top cop

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Mexico's top security official blamed organized crime for the brazen killing of an acting federal police chief, saying Friday his death shows a nationwide crackdown is hurting gangs.

Some of the worlds deadliest disasters

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

A look at some of the deadliest natural disasters around the world in the past 40 years:

Woman helps police find suspects in her laptop theft

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- A Westchester woman who had her laptop stolen was able to connect to the computer, photograph two suspects and file the photos to police.

Analysis: Hillary Democrats could be up for grabs

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

With the racially tinged Democratic race drawing to an awkward close, Barack Obama and John McCain face the challenge of winning over "Hillary Democrats" -- the white, working-class voters who favored the former first lady over Obama's historic candidacy.

Conn. man says police broke into home, ripped out catheter

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

A man alleges that police entered his home illegally and ripped a catheter from his body during a child pornography investigation that led to the arrest of two neighbors.

Records show Sharpton owes overdue taxes, other penalties

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Big corporations give him money. Presidential candidates seek his endorsement. He has influential friends in Congress and the governor's mansion.

Legally blind man, 78, bowls perfect game

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

A 78-year-old legally blind man nicknamed "The Hammer" has bowled a perfect game. Dale Davis of Alta, Iowa, nailed 12 consecutive strikes and reached 300 on Saturday night during league play.

Comments Bushes have made about daughters wedding

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Comments President and Mrs. Bush have made in public or during recent interviews about his daughter Jenna's wedding Saturday to Henry Hager:

Tiny Crawford plays supporting role for Jenna Bush wedding

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

So close and yet so far: Tiny Crawford is sort of like a bridesmaid at arm's length from Jenna Bush's wedding Saturday.

Blackwater unlikely to face charges in Iraq shooting

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Blackwater Worldwide, the security contractor blamed by an angry Iraqi government for the shooting deaths of 17 civilians, is not expected to face criminal charges -- all but ensuring the company will keep its multimillion-dollar contract to protect U.S. diplomats.

Mass. hiker killed by falling rock in N.H.

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

A Massachusetts woman is dead after a boulder falls on her while she's out hiking in New Hampshire with her family.

Chemical spills after train derailment in Lawrence

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Residents of a Lawrence neighborhood have been allowed to return to their homes after the clean-up of a chemical spill from a derailed freight train.

Mother charged with babys murder in Maine

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

State police say a 43-year-old Harrison woman has been indicted on a murder charge in the death of her infant son two months ago.

Patriots defensive back Andrews pleads to drug offense

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

New England Patriots defensive back Willie Andrews entered a plea to a marijuana possession charge, but won't face any prison time.

Akamai director exercises options

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

A director of Web services provider Akamai Technologies Inc. exercised options for and sold 33,500 shares of common stock under a prearranged trading plan, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing Wednesday.

Woman gets 55 years in prison for Plymouth killing

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

A state judge has sentenced a Bristol woman to 55 years in prison for her role in a botched robbery that escalated into the shooting death of Plymouth man.

UConn track team member charged with weapon crime

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

A member of the University of Connecticut track team has been arrested on charges he violated a protective order by trying to buy a shotgun.

Infighting rains on McCains party

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Senator John McCain is sailing toward his coronation as the Republican presidential nominee while the Democratic candidates battle fiercely. But Republicans also are engaged in some tough infighting that could disrupt the national convention and make it more difficult for him to unite the party in the fall.

Delivery truck smashes through parked cars

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

The driver of a delivery truck that smashed into eight parked motor vehicles before bursting into flames yesterday in Allston has twice had his driver's license suspended for excessive traffic citations, according to state Registry of Motor Vehicles records.

A mayors fall from favor

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

It was nothing more than the mayor's annual budget speech, but in Newton, the event had all the trappings of the president's State of the Union address.

State senators vote to end cigarette price controls

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Massachusetts lawmakers have voted to increase the tax on cigarettes by $1, but they are also considering an end to price controls on packs and cartons.

State agency seeks to cover 30,000 more uninsured

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

The authority overseeing the state's healthcare law is exploring ways to cover an additional 30,000 uninsured residents, a step that could increase the annual cost of the program by more than $250 million within a few years.

Drug deaths soar in Boston

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Deaths from drugs and alcohol in Boston soared dramatically in 2006, an increase fueled by cheap heroin, the allure of crystal methamphetamine, and the widespread availability of addictive prescription medications.

Keeping the boys away from the girls

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

The teacher, a burly presence in the front of the room, calls his young charges "gentlemen," even if they're really boys. He uses his steely gaze as a teaching tool, glaring at a distracted student who had just made a paper airplane. Still, he knows not to admonish the restless students for their sometimes adolescent ways - tapping their pencils ...

Cape owners avoid big hike in insurance

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Tens of thousands of homeowners on Cape Cod were spared a second straight 25 percent increase in insurance premiums after a state regulator yesterday rejected an insurance association's request for double-digit rate hikes.

Brazil warns Europe against biofuel import barriers

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

BRASILIA (AFP) - Brazil on Friday warned Europe not to "distort" trade in biofuel, saying Brasilia was ready to defend its interests before the World Trade Organization if necessary.

New York auction records help ease fears over art market

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

NEW YORK (AFP) - Record prices for works by Claude Monet and Edvard Munch at New York's spring sales this week have helped eased fears over the effect of the faltering US economy on the international art market.

Oil prices extend record run, break 126 dollars

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

NEW YORK (AFP) - Oil prices briefly surged to a record high above 126 dollars on Friday, driven into uncharted territory by speculators trying to take advantage of global supply concerns, analysts said.

IMF approves 3.65 billion dollar loan to Turkey

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The International Monetary Fund on Friday approved a 3.65-billion-dollar loan to Turkey, the final segment of a three-year stand-by credit worth nearly 10 billion dollars.

UN agency to resume aid flights into Myanmar

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

YANGON (AFP) - The UN said Friday it would resume aid flights into Myanmar after a suspension triggered by a tussle with the military regime over two planeloads of goods meant for desperate cyclone survivors.

Lebanon in turmoil as Hezbollah takes west Beirut

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

BEIRUT (AFP) - Hezbollah fighters, their guns blazing, seized control of west Beirut on Friday after three days of deadly street battles with pro-government foes pushed Lebanon dangerously close to all-out civil war.

Mbeki faces Mugabe for Zimbabwe crisis talks

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

HARARE (AFP) - South African President Thabo Mbeki on Friday held intensive talks with veteran counterpart Robert Mugabe over Zimbabwe's post-election crisis as doctors reported a dramatic rise in violence.